World Series of Fighting Taps Lance Palmer for Inaugural Featherweight Title Fight

Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (22-3-1) will still compete for World Series of Fighting’s inaugural featherweight title, but he’ll face a new opponent, Lance “Unstoppable” Palmer (7-0), an impressive young fighter whose addition makes this new championship match-up just as exciting as the originally planned bout.

Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (14-2-1) withdrew from the World Series of Fighting 7 bout due to personal reasons.

“We wish Rick Glenn all the best and know that he still has a very bright future ahead of him in our promotion,” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said.

World Series of Fighting recently signed a multi-fight deal with Palmer, who now meets Karakhanyan to determine the promotion’s first 145-pound champion.

Karakhanyan and Palmer meet in the five-round, co-main event of next month’s “World Series of Fighting 7: Johnson vs. Kyle” event, which takes place Dec. 7 at PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The night’s main card airs live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, following prelims that stream live on World Series of Fighting’s official website, WSOF.com.

Tickets for World Series of Fighting 7, which start at just $29, and are available at TicketLeader.ca.

Palmer is a former four-time All-American collegiate wrestler at Ohio State University. A member of California’s famed Team Alpha Male, Palmer currently trains alongside MMA standouts Urijah Faber, Joseph Benavidez, Chad Mendes, Danny Castillo and T.J. Dillashaw, among others. Palmer made his professional debut in 2011 and remains undefeated through his first seven contests, including a recent decision win that saw him claim the Resurrection Fighting Alliance featherweight title.

“I’m very excited to start this next chapter of my career,” said Palmer.  “To be able to come in and fight for a title in a top promotion is a great honor, and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.”

Meanwhile, Karakhanyan brings an eight-fight win streak to the matchup. The 28-year-old Millennia MMA fighter, who was born in Russia but now makes his home in Southern California, turned pro in 2006 and has since racked up 22 wins, including 12 submission victories and another four by knockout. He debuted for World Series of Fighting in September, scoring an impressive first-round submission win over Waylon Lowe, who had won his previous four fights by knockout.

“It is unfortunate that Rick had to pull out of the fight,” said Karakhanyan. “As professional, my job is to adapt and be prepared for anything and everything. I’m really excited to fight.  Don’t matter who it is, I just want to fight. Lance Palmer is a tough opponent, and I’m looking forward to beating him for the belt!”

The winner of the Karakhanyan vs. Palmer matchup will join recently crowned welterweight champion Steve Carl as the first two title holders on the World Series of Fighting roster.